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Cuba Records Second Magnitude 5 Earthquake in Three Days Near Santiago

A 5.0 magnitude tremor shook eastern Cuba, two days after a 5.6 quake in Guantánamo that damaged homes

Aroma de Cuba · · 2 min read
Seismograph recording seismic activity in Santiago de Cuba

Cuba’s National Seismological Research Center (Cenais) recorded a 5.0 magnitude earthquake southeast of Santiago de Cuba province on Tuesday, the second significant tremor in just three days in the country’s eastern region.

Earthquake Data

CharacteristicValue
Magnitude5.0
Location208 km southeast of Santiago de Cuba
Depth10 km
Time4:18 AM local time
DateFebruary 10, 2026

The tremor was felt in several localities in Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba provinces, with no reports of casualties or injuries so far.

Second Perceptible Quake of the Year

According to Cenais, this is the second perceptible earthquake recorded in 2026. The first occurred just two days earlier:

  • February 8: 5.6 magnitude earthquake southeast of Guantánamo
    • Minor damage to about 20 homes
    • Several aftershocks recorded

Recent Seismic History

Eastern Cuba has experienced intense seismic activity in recent months:

  • December 2025: 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Guamá municipality, Santiago de Cuba

    • 446 aftershocks
    • Over 90 homes affected and 4 state buildings damaged

  • November 2024: Two strong earthquakes near Pilón

    • Magnitudes of 6.0 and 6.7
    • Over 800 aftershocks
    • 10 people injured
    • 8,600 homes damaged (156 with total collapse)

Why So Many Earthquakes in Eastern Cuba?

The area with the highest seismic activity in Cuba is the eastern region, specifically along the southern coast of:

  • Santiago de Cuba
  • Granma
  • Guantánamo

This high hazard level is due to proximity to the Oriente Fault, which marks the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates.

2025 Summary

Last year, Cenais recorded 4,535 earthquakes on the island, of which only 15 were perceptible to the population.

Source: OnCubaNews / EFE

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the February 10, 2026 earthquake occur?
The epicenter was located 208 kilometers southeast of Santiago de Cuba, at a depth of 10 km. It was detected at 4:18 AM local time.
Were there any damages or casualties?
No casualties or injuries were reported from Tuesday's quake. However, Sunday's 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Guantánamo caused minor damage to about 20 homes.
Why does eastern Cuba have so much seismic activity?
Eastern Cuba is near the Oriente Fault, which marks the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates, making it the country's highest seismic hazard zone.
How many earthquakes were recorded in Cuba in 2025?
In 2025, 4,535 earthquakes were recorded on the island, of which only 15 were felt by the population.
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